We just got a new Apple TV for the family room. I have content in my library that I want to stream through the Apple TV. My kids also have content in their library they would like to view on the Apple TV. Is it possible to Homeshare both libraries with the same Apple TV. I’m not expecting the two libraries to be mixed, but could the Apple TV menu list both libraries and I simply choose which one I want to browse? If not, it will mean adding all the kids’ content to my library, which I don’t really want to do.
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Cameron
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Can I Homeshare Multiple Libraries To the Same Apple TV?
Comments: 11 Responses to “Can I Homeshare Multiple Libraries To the Same Apple TV?”
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Yes. Certainly. Just turn sharing on for both computers.
Remember it is "Sharing" not "Home Sharing" which is something different (transferring files and apps). Both are in the Sharing preferences in iTunes.
Each computer appears in your Apple TV as a separate entry under Computers. Try it.
Could you further clarify for me the difference between "Sharing" and "Home Sharing," please?
See http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2688
Sharing simply makes your music and video available to other Macs, iOS and Apple TV over the network. For instance, a song on Mac A can be selected and played on Mac B.
Home Sharing does this to, but also allows you to copy files from one Mac to another. It also requires an Apple ID for permission.
So either option will allow me to share both libraries with my Apple TV?
Yes. But you probably want to use plain Sharing, not Home Sharing. No need to mess around with Apple IDs on your kids computer or Apple TV then.
Okay, thanks!
Am I understanding correctly, though, that only Home Sharing shares photos? Can I Home Share one library and plain Share the other?
Photo sharing is in iPhoto, not iTunes. But you may have to have both on. Not sure, but it is easy to try it and see.
Just switched my personal library from Home Sharing to plain Sharing. My content is no longer appearing on the Apple TV. Did I miss something?
Just check and re-check everything. It should appear unless something has changed with the new Apple TV software.
FYI -- I only have Sharing, not Home Sharing, enabled in my iTunes on my Mac. And I can see my music collection and video on my Apple TV 2.